Assemblies and methods for interchangeable jewelry

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to assemblies and methods for interchangeable jewelry, as are disclosed herein. The assemblies and methods disclosed herein enable individuals to customize jewelry through the use of interchangeable decorative elements. In one embodiment, a jewelry assembly comprises: (a) a frame containing a recessed portion wherein the frame is constructed from a material with magnetic properties; (b) a decorative element coupled to a magnet wherein the decorative element is sized to fit within the recessed portion of the frame wherein the magnet removably secures the decorative element within the recessed portion of the frame such that the exposed portion of the decorative element does not sit flushly within the recessed portion of the frame.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/234,557 filed on Aug. 17, 2009, which is incorporated by reference inits entirety herein.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

Disclosed herein are assemblies and methods for interchangeable jewelry.The assemblies and methods disclosed herein enable individuals tocustomize jewelry through the use of interchangeable decorative inserts.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The interchangeability of the settings or decorative elements in jewelryarticles such as rings, pendants, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, orbroaches allows for the jewelry to be matched to other articles ofjewelry, clothing, or other accessories.

In one example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,594,871 provides for interchangeableornamentation in articles of jewelry using magnets fixed to both adecorative element and to a frame designed to receive the decorativeelement. To remove the decorative element a stylus is needed to dislodgeand remove the decorative element from the frame.

In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,715,315 provides for interchangeablejewelry settings using dual mounting portions magnetically coupledtogether between which is held an interchangeable setting. To remove theinterchangeable setting, the mounting portions are designed with an axisof rotation so that at least one of the mounting portions can be rotatedcausing the two mounting portion surfaces to slide and break themagnetic coupling between the two mounting portions.

While these approaches provide for interchangeability in jewelryornamentation and decorative elements, there is still room forimprovement in interchangeable jewelry. For example, these approachesrequire multiple parts in order to secure the interchangeable decorativeelement or require the use of additional mechanisms to remove ordislodge the decorative element. In addition, the interchangeabledecorative elements are normally made from expensive materials such aprecious stone or metals.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments disclosed herein provide assemblies and methods that allowjewelry to be customizable through the use of interchangeable decorativeelements. The assemblies and methods allow for a decorative element thatis removably attached to a jewelry frame in such a way that thedecorative element can be quickly and easily detached and replaced withdifferent decorative elements bearing the chosen decorative design.

In one embodiment disclosed herein, an assembly is provided comprising:a frame containing a formed recessed portion wherein the frame isconstructed from or lined with a material with magnetic properties, adecorative element coupled to a magnet where the decorative element issized to fit with the recessed portion of the frame wherein the magnetremovably secures the decorative element within the recessed portion ofthe frame such that the exposed portion of the decorative element doesnot sit flushly within the recessed portion of the frame. In certainembodiments the decorative element can be removed without using aremoval utensil or implement by simply applying tangential pressure tothe decorative element.

In one embodiment, the magnet is adhesively affixed to the decorativeelement. In another embodiment, the decorative element and magnet aresecurely crimped together. In some embodiments, the decorative elementis a button. In another embodiment, the decorative element is acustomizable button. In yet another embodiment, the decorative elementis constructed from or lined with material with magnetic properties suchthat it is a magnetized decorative element that can be removably securedwithin the recessed portion of a frame by magnetic forces between theframe and the magnetized decorative element.

In certain embodiments, the formed recessed portion of the frame isgenerally in the shape of a circle, a square, a diamond, a triangle, astar, an oval, or a rectangle. In embodiments in which the frame islined with material with magnetic properties, the remainder of the framecan be made of plastic, ceramic, and/or a composite material.

Embodiments disclosed herein also include an assembly comprising: aframe containing a formed recessed portion wherein the recessed portionhas a securing device secured within the recessed portion, a decorativeelement coupled to an additional securing device wherein the decorativeelement is sized to fit within the recessed portion of the frame whereinthe additional securing device removably secures the decorative elementto the securing device within the recessed portion of the frame suchthat the exposed portion of the decorative element does not sit flushlywithin the recessed portion of the frame. In some embodiments, theadditional securing device is adhesively affixed to the decorativeelement. In another embodiment, the decorative element and additionalsecuring device are securely crimped together. In some embodiments thesecuring device and/or additional securing device is a magnet, a snapstud, a snap socket, a hook fastener, or a loop fastener. In addition,decorative elements of disclosed embodiments can be removed withoutusing a removal utensil or implement by simply applying tangentialpressure to the decorative element.

In another embodiment the decorative element is a button. In anotherembodiment, the decorative element is a customizable button. In anotherembodiment, the formed recessed portion of the frame is generally in theshape of a circle, a square, a diamond, a triangle, a star, an oval, ora rectangle. In another embodiment, the frame is made of plastic,ceramic, and/or a composite material.

Embodiments disclosed herein also include a method for producing jewelryassembly decorative elements comprising: affixing a decorative elementto a securing device by crimping the decorative element and the securingdevice within a button collet and button shell wherein the decorativeelement is sized and shaped to be removably attached within the recessedportion of the jewelry assemble frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a frame of an assembly containing aformed recess.

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of a decorative insert disclosed herein.

FIG. 3 depicts the decorative insert of FIG. 2 within the frame depictedin FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional side view of a decorative insert withina frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

As stated, interchangeability of jewelry's settings or decorativeelements allows for jewelry to be matched to other articles of jewelry,clothing, or other accessories or changed for other purposes. Currentlythe market for interchangeable jewelry does not allow for easilydetachable decorative elements that can be created inexpensively. Theassemblies and methods disclosed herein address these deficiencies inthe prior art.

Disclosed herein are assemblies and methods that allow for jewelry to becustomizable through the use of interchangeable decorative elements. Inone embodiment, the jewelry assembly includes a frame produced from amaterial with magnetic properties (FIG. 1) and a magnetized decorativeelement (FIG. 2). The decorative element may be magnetically secured tothe frame within a suitably-dimensioned recessed portion of the frame 10(FIG. 1) as seen in FIG. 3. The decorative element does not sit flushlywithin the recessed portion of the frame (as seen in FIG. 4), andtherefore, can be simply and rapidly removed through the application oftangential pressure to the decorative element. In this way, thedecorative element can be quickly and easily replaced to displaymultiple designs and does not require the use of a stylus, removalimplement or utensil, or other more complicated mechanical designs.

In another embodiment, the jewelry assembly can include a frame producedfrom a material that does not contain magnetic properties. For example,the frame can be produced from materials such as, without limitation,plastics, ceramics, and/or composite materials. In some of theseembodiments, the magnetized decorative element can be secured within thesuitably-dimensioned recessed portion of the frame by affixing a polaropposite magnet within the framed recessed portion (FIG. 4) or by liningthe framed recessed portion with a material containing magneticproperties. The decorative element does not sit flushly within therecessed portion of the frame and therefore can be simply and rapidlyremoved through the application of tangential pressure to the decorativeelement. For example, a metal insert can be fabricated to such adimension that it can be affixed within the framed recessed portion suchthat the magnetic decorative element secures itself to the metal insertthrough magnetic attraction.

In another embodiment, the jewelry assembly can include a framecontaining a recessed portion containing a securing device. In thisembodiment the decorative element can be secured within thesuitably-dimensioned recessed portion of the frame by means of thesecuring device. The decorative element does not sit flushly within therecessed portion of the frame and therefore can be simply and rapidlyremoved from the frame. For example, a snap stud could be affixed withinthe recessed portion of the frame and a snap socket could be affixed tothe decorative element whereby the decorative element could be removablysecured to the within the recessed portion of the frame by securing thesnap stud within the snap socket. Hook and loop fasteners, frictionfitting, and/or other adhesives could also be used.

The frame can contain a decorative pattern in a generally circularshape. The invention is not so limited and may include any decorativedesigns or shapes. The frame's recessed portion 10 (FIG. 1) is shown tobe centrally located and to be generally circular in shape. Theinvention is not so limited and may include recessed portions locatedanywhere on the frame and may be in any shape including, but withoutlimitation, a circle, square, diamond, triangle, star, or rectangle.

The decorative element depicted in FIG. 2 is shown to be generallycircular in shape. The invention is not so limited and may includedecorative elements of any shape and size suitable-dimensioned to fitwithin the recessed portion of the frame. The decorative element can bemade of any material capable of being shaped such it issuitable-dimensioned to fit within the frame's recessed portion,whatever shape and dimension it may be. In some embodiments, thedecorative element can be produced from a material with magneticproperties, such that it can be magnetically secured to a frame that ismade of magnetic material, is lined with a magnetic material, or has amagnet affixed into its recessed portion.

In other embodiments, a magnet or other form of attaching device, suchas, without limitation, a snap or hook and loop fasteners can be fixedto a non-magnetized decorative element such that it can be securedwithin the recessed portion of a magnetized or non-magnetized frame. Asa non-limiting example, one embodiment disclosed herein allows for amagnet or other form of securing device to be fixed to a decorativeelement through the use of an adhesive. Another embodiment allows forthe magnet or other form of securing device to be secured to thedecorative element by crimping the two elements together.

In yet another embodiment, the decorative element can be a customizablebutton. In this embodiment, a custom selected design can be chosen andshaped to a suitable-dimension capable of fitting within the frame'srecessed portion. A magnet or other form of securing device can beshaped to the same or other suitable dimension. The shaped magnet orother form of securing device and selected design can then be securedtogether using a button collet and shell, thereby creating a securablebutton bearing a custom selected design that is suitably shaped and ableto be secured within the frame's recessed portion.

In all embodiments, the decorative element can be any custom selecteddesign material capable be being secured to whatever form of securingdevice is selected. For example, a piece of plain or decorative paper orcloth could be crimped together with a similarly shaped magnet throughthe use of a button collet, shell, and button crimping device. Inanother example, the custom selected design material could be amalleable sheet of metal such as, without limitation, copper foil oraluminum foil. In yet another example, the custom selected designmaterial could be a natural product such as, without limitation, aflower or a leaf.

In yet another example, the custom selected design material could be apolished stone secured to the securing device using an adhesive. Forexample, a circular shaped polished decorative stone could be securedusing adhesive to a similarly shaped magnet which is capable of beingaffixed to the jewelry assembly frame such that it can be secured withinthe frame's recessed portion.

FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of an exemplary decorative elementremovably secured in recessed portion 10 of a frame. At least a portionof the decorative element is substantially raised above the plane of theframe, such that the decorative element does not sit flushly with theframe. Because the decorative element does not sit flushly with theframe it can be easily removed without the use of a removal implement orutensil.

As shown if FIG. 4, some embodiments comprise securing device 12.Securing device 12 can be coupled (by for example, without limitation,adhesives or crimping) to the decorative element or the frame or both.Non-limiting examples of securing device 12 include a magnet or magnets,a snap stud, a snap socket and snap stud, or hook and loop fasteners.Notwithstanding FIG. 4, the present disclosure also describesembodiments where no securing device is required to removably attach thedecorative element to the frame because both are magnetized by beingconstructed of or lined with materials with magnetic properties.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numerical values used in thespecification and claims are to be understood as being modified in allinstances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to thecontrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification andattached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon thedesired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. Atthe very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of thedoctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numericalparameter should at least be construed in light of the number ofreported significant digits and by applying ordinary roundingtechniques.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forththe broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numericalvalues set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely aspossible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certainerrors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in theirrespective testing measurements.

The terms “a,” “an,” “the” and similar referents used in the context ofdescribing the invention (especially in the context of the followingclaims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural,unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context.Recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as ashorthand method of referring individually to each separate valuefalling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, eachindividual value is incorporated into the specification as if it wereindividually recited herein. All methods disclosed herein can beperformed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein orotherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and allexamples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein isintended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose alimitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No languagein the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimedelement essential to the practice of the invention.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each groupmember may be referred to and claimed individually or in any combinationwith other members of the group or other elements found herein. It isanticipated that one or more members of a group may be included in, ordeleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability.When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is deemedto contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written descriptionof all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

Certain embodiments of this invention are disclosed herein, includingthe best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Ofcourse, variations on these described embodiments will become apparentto those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoingdescription. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ suchvariations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention tobe practiced otherwise than specifically disclosed herein. Accordingly,this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subjectmatter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicablelaw. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in allpossible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Specific embodiments disclosed herein may be further limited in theclaims using consisting of or and consisting essentially of language.When used in the claims, whether as filed or added per amendment, thetransition term “consisting of” excludes any element, step, oringredient not specified in the claims. The transition term “consistingessentially of” limits the scope of a claim to the specified materialsor steps and those that do not materially affect the basic and novelcharacteristic(s). Embodiments of the invention so claimed areinherently or expressly described and enabled herein.

In closing, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein are illustrative of the principles of the presentinvention. Other modifications that may be employed are within the scopeof the invention. Thus, by way of example, but not of limitation,alternative configurations of the present invention may be utilized inaccordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, the present inventionis not limited to that precisely as shown and described.

1. A jewelry assembly comprising: (a) a frame with raised edges defininga recessed portion that is coextensive with the frame wherein the frameis constructed from and/or lined with a material with magneticproperties; (b) a decorative element coupled to a magnet wherein theperimeter of the decorative element is sized to entirely fit within therecessed portion of the frame wherein the magnet alone removably securesthe decorative element within the recessed portion of the frame suchthat the exposed portion of the decorative element does not sit flushlywithin the recessed portion of the frame.
 2. An assembly according toclaim 1 wherein the magnet is adhesively affixed to the decorativeelement.
 3. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the decorativeelement and the magnet are securely crimped together.
 4. An assemblyaccording to claim 1 wherein the decorative element is a button.
 5. Anassembly according to claim 1 wherein the decorative element is acustomizable button.
 6. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein thedecorative element can be removed without the use of a removal implementby applying tangential pressure to the decorative element.
 7. Anassembly according to claim 1 wherein the formed recessed portion of theframe is generally in the shape of a circle, a square, a diamond, atriangle, a star, an oval, or a rectangle. 8-31. (canceled)
 32. Adecorative element with magnetized properties wherein the perimeter ofthe magnetized decorative element is sized to entirely fit within arecessed portion of a frame with raised edges defining the recessedportion wherein the recessed portion is coextensive with the frame andwherein the frame is constructed from or lined with a material withmagnetic properties; and wherein only the magnetic forces between theframe and the magnetized decorative element removably secure themagnetized decorative element within the recessed portion of the framesuch that the exposed portion of the magnetized decorative element doesnot sit flushly within the recessed portion of the frame.
 33. Amagnetized decorative element according to claim 32 wherein themagnetized decorative element is constructed from a material withmagnetic properties.
 34. A magnetized decorative element according toclaim 32 wherein a magnet is adhesively affixed to the decorativeelement.
 35. A magnetized decorative element according to claim 32wherein the decorative element is a button.
 36. A magnetized decorativeelement according to claim 32 wherein the decorative element is acustomizable button
 37. A magnetized decorative element according toclaim 32 wherein the magnetized decorative element can be removed fromthe frame without the use of a removal implement by applying tangentialpressure to the magnetized decorative element.
 38. A magnetizeddecorative element according to claim 32 sized to fit a frame generallyin the shape of a circle, a square, a diamond, a triangle, a star, anoval, or a rectangle.